The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-11-10

| anu lnen III Walk OuI VI yOur COulouA0ON
/ shanty."
He really meant what he said, but Johr
Granger had contrary ideas on the subject
Of his walking out. He knew the man
realized what desperate villain he was
and proposed to keep an eye on him.
The next day after Wildcat Jim came
in, 1 arrived at the Jail to pay my relatives
visit. My parents were living in town
about dozen miles away, and had per
mission TO remain as long as might suit
me. was then about nine years old, and
did not know, and could not be made fully
to understand, the character of the pris
oners in the cells. While / was allowed
full liberty to roam about the building
alone, even to going down to the main hall,
/ was cautioned by both grandmother and
Granger not to hold any conversation with
the prisoners, much less to pass any article
to them through the grated door.
1t was Granger's habit to allow the pris-
oners the freedom of their corridor during
| the day, the men walking up and down,
reading novels, playing cards, and passing
| the time as they liked best. There was but
one small window in the corridor, the walls
were very massive, the door firm, and
there was no danger. Wildcat Jim was
not allowed to leave his cell at first, Gran
ger knowing that he would attempt to take
some advantage of the favor But after a
week had passed away without sign that
the villain had hope Of leaving the place,
his appeals were listened to by my grand
father, who persuaded Granger into throw
ing open the cell door.
HE may not be so bad as people make
out, remarked Josiah, who always pitied
where others condemned. "And if he is as
desperate devil as you say he is, do not
see how he can do any Mischief
Therefore, Jim's cell door was unlocked,
and he was allowed to mingle with the rest.
As grandfather said nothing in opposition,
Granger insisted that the villain should
continue to wear his shackles, which were,
OF course, something Of a safeguard against
his escaping. He seemed to have no care
whether the shackles were on or off, hav-
ng assumed the role of penitent, declaring
his intention to reform
Look out for that man, John Grangerw
cautioned my grandmother, as she looked
through the door and caught glance from
the desperate.
The man had been in Jail about ten days,
and his conduct so far had been all that
could be desired. Granger believed that he
was plotting mischief, grandfather thought
him much-abused man, and grandmother
gave no opinion. One Monday morning it
became necessary for Granger to make
days journey into another county, and this
would leave no one but my two relatives as
a guard. My grandfather was cautioned
to look out, as the prisoners might attempt
an lnsurrection and an escapade; and, for
a wonder, he gave the warning attention.
he had two revolvers and two rifles in the
jail, and he loaded them all. One of the
revolvers he put into his pocket, and the
other arms were left in the sitting-room.
During the forenoon it was discovered
that the corridor door was out of order, and
grandfather set to work to fix it. Taking
a small saw. two files and a hammer he
went at the difficulty, and soon had the door
In repair. When through, he placed the
tools on a stool in the hall, and went about
his work, leaving them there.
Near the middle of the afternoon, having
seen that every thing was all quiet with the
prisoners, Josiah lay down for nap tell
ing his wife to take an occasional look into
the hall. Left to myself, l wandered into |
the hall, and, boylike, began using the |
tools. The attention of the prisoners was |
soon attracted, and voice called me to the |
door.
"Bub, do you want whole pound of |
,andy!' inquired Jim, smiling and trying |
10 look sweet.
Or course did; whoever saw a boy that |
1ldn't! had entirely forgotten the oft |
repeated warning not TO talk with the pris- |
oners, and leaned against the door, in |
hopes to see the candy.
"Well, sonny" continued jim, ssif you
will be good boy, you shall have all the
'andy you can carry. You see, you are too
small boy to have those tools, and if your
knew of it, he would whip you
% death. Just hand them to me through
he door. and then he won't know that YOU
lave been dulling them. And besides, Pu
% down town tomorrow and get you all
he candy you can eat"
hesitated for a time, but convinced that
ny grandfather would scold, if not whip,
ND oelng brlbed by the candy bait, passed
n the TOOLS. yet remember how the pris-
ners crowded around Jim, shook hands,
aughed and danced, but did not then see
my occasion for their demonstrations.
Now, bub," said Jim, returning to the
oor, you have completely spoiled these
ools, and your grandfather will skin Won
nd hang your hide on the fence if he finds
out. If he asks you where they went to.
ell him you don't know"
l never had had cause to fear either of
ny kind-hearted relatives, but Jim's words
eally frightened me. He made further
romises about the candy. and I finally
vent away to the sitting-room, determined
D tell grandfather lie if he asked me
bout the articles
But he did not ask ? He went about his
uties, after his nap without once thinking
tools I Of
roach the subject. Granger did not re-
urn at night, as intended, but word came
rom him that it would take another day to {
onclude his business.
LAS you will be alone all nieht.n the note
cad, ''let me warn you again to look ont
Dr. Wildcat Jim. He will take this op-
ortunity to make you trouble' /.
'Poohl pooh!" replied my grandfather.
ne read the note; Granger is a very 9
ctive officer, but he is regular old woman !
18th his whims. l guess 1 sha'n,t have : :
nv trou bic with Jim"
And the guess was as correct as his
aesses usually were.
The night wore away without anv dis
lrbance to create alarm. Josiah had taken
AIMS to see that the locks, doors and bars '
ere all right, and he slept as soundIy as a
'ldier. Each man had been locked in his L
IL, and the corridor door was a mountain 7
the path of any attempted escape. o
JOSIAH" said Prudence, as we were
'ated at breakfast, "did you hear any noise =
Iring the night!'
Not so muoa as the sigh of a mousse re- !.
led Josiah. ut was remarkably still
ght."
We'll, JOSIAH" continued nv grand '
other ~ heard noises, and plenty of !.
em- There was some deviltry going on I
nong the prisoners. l heard a grating
'und as If they were filing of the bars. /